Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the Democrats, has come out against the state booting former President Donald Trump from its 2024 ballot.
“Under the established Constitutional process, the Senate was called upon to determine this precise question in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in January, 2021. While I voted with a bipartisan majority to convict, the required two-thirds of the Senate did not do so,” he said in a Dec. 29 statement posted on X.
The impeachment followed the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
“Although I respect the Secretary of State’s careful process—which she was specifically required to undertake under Maine law—absent a final judicial determination of a violation of the 14th Amendment’s disqualification clause, I believe the decision as to whether or not Mr. Trump should again be considered for the presidency should rest with the people as expressed in free and fair elections. This is the ultimate check within our Constitutional system,” continued Mr. King.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced on Dec. 28 that President Trump will not be on the ballot.
“I do not reach this conclusion lightly,” stated Ms. Bellows in her decision. “Democracy is sacred. … I am mindful that no Secretary of State has ever deprived a presidential candidate of ballot access based on Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. I am also mindful, however, that no presidential candidate has ever before engaged in insurrection.”
Other Lawmakers React
In addition to Mr. King, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a GOP critic of the former president, disapproved of the decision.“Maine voters should decide who wins the election—not a Secretary of State chosen by the Legislature,” she said in a statement posted on X on Dec. 28. “The Secretary of State’s decision would deny thousands of Mainers the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice, and it should be overturned.”
Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) also disagreed with the move, saying there should be due process.
“I voted to impeach Donald Trump for his role in the January 6th insurrection. I do not believe he should be re-elected as president of the United States,” he said in a statement posted on X on Dec. 28. “However, we are a nation of laws, therefore until he is actually found guilty of the crime of insurrection, he should be allowed on the ballot.”
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is the only member of Maine’s congressional delegation that expressed approval of the decision.
“The text of the Fourteenth Amendment is clear. No person who engaged in an insurrection against the government can ever again serve in elected office,” she posted on X on Dec. 28.
“On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump incited a violent mob to block Congress from certifying the Electoral College + overturn the 2020 presidential election. Our Constitution is the very bedrock of America and our laws and it appears Trump’s actions are prohibited by the Constitution,” continued Ms. Pingree.
The Trump campaign has said it will appeal the ruling.
The move by Ms. Bellows comes less than two weeks after the Colorado Supreme Court kicked President Trump off the ballot there, but that decision has been paused, and President Trump will be on the ballot pending the U.S. Supreme Court’s response to the appeal.
